Drought arm-twists farmers to destock cattle

According to figures released recently by the Bank of Botswana, meat exports which primarily comprise beef, soared to P173.6 million in the first quarter of 2024, the highest quarterly outcome since 2019.

Beef sector insiders told BusinessWeek that the drought had left farmers with no option but to panic sell their livestock to the BMC in an attempt to get the most out of their rapidly slimming herd. With little pasture nationwide after the long dry spell, farmers have been forced to dispose of their livestock to minimise their losses. The BMC is seen as offering the best prices in the market.